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      Three Man Utd stars ruled out of FA Cup semi-final with Coventry as fans sat ‘this not normal’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S injury crisis has hit a new low as three more stars are ruled out for tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final.The Red Devils face Coventry in their Wembley bout on Sunday afternoon and will have to do so without Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Willy Kambwala.Erik ten Hag has been hit with even more injury woes ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry CityCredit: GettyMason Mount is one of three new stars to be ruled out for the clashCredit: GettyThe trio of absentees was revealed by Fabrizio Romano who pointed out that United have now seen 60 separate cases of injury or illness this season.The unbelievable stat has sent Man Utd fans into frenzy with many taking to social media to react.One wrote: “On a serious note this is genuinely not normal at all. It’s not a coincidence, something is going wrong behind the scenes.”While another added: “Surely gotta investigate wtf is happening in training?? Unless it’s in games obviously but this is insane now. Training too hard? So frustrating.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA third pointed towards the lack of fitness for Mount and Amrabat, writing: “Mount and Amrabat have been absolutely disastrous signings.”And a fourth commented: “This isn’t bad luck, the amount of injuries we get in training is ridiculous and can’t be a coincidence.”The absence of Willy Kambwala is particularly concerning for United who now only have one senior centre-back fit for the cup clash tomorrow.Harry Maguire is the lone available central defender with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all ruled out with injury.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSErik Ten Hag has been forced to turn to 18-year-old Louis Jackson as a result with the teenager travelling with the squad for the semi-final.Jackson has never made a senior appearance but has been an important player for the Red Devils’ U18s and U21s sides this season.Manchester United’s fall from glory since Sir Alex Ferguson Although, Jackson may not be making his debut on the hallowed turf of Wembley with Ten Hag reportedly testing out alternative options.It is said that the Dutch gaffer has been testing Casemiro out as a centre-back alongside Maguire as an emergency option for tomorrow’s game.Willy Kambwala has joined Man Utd’s long list of injured centre-backsCredit: GettyLouis Jackson (right) has been called up to the squad as an emergency optionCredit: Getty More

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      Man City vs Chelsea LIVE SCORE – FA Cup semi-final: Erling Haaland NOT in City squad as Enzo returns for Blues – updates

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      MANCHESTER CITY take on Chelsea in the semi-final of the FA Cup TODAY.And the headline team news from Wembley is that Erling Haaland is NOT in the City squad.Pep Guardiola’s side can no longer match last season’s Treble following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.City will still be eyeing a Double this campaign with the Manchester outfit in Pole position for the Premier League title and two wins away from back-to-back FA Cup triumphs.Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping his side can salvage Chelsea’s season after failing to find consistency in their performances.
      Kick-off time: 5.15pm BST
      TV channel/ FREE live stream: BBC One/BBC iPlayer
      Man City starting line-up: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
      Chelsea starting line-up: Petrovic; Gusto, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Gallagher; Jackson
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERFollow ALL of the latest updates from Wembley below…How do we see it?

      Copy linkCopiedOther options
      They’re not really short of options when it comes to goals, anyway.
      Phil Foden the standout player this season and those goal numbers certainly suggest that.
      Julian Alvarez gets his turn from the start here and there’s goals in their midfield too.

      Copy linkCopiedHaaland mystery
      “He has a little injury. It’s not serious but he couldn’t play today.”
      That was the update from Pep Guardiola before this one.
      Copy linkCopiedLatest odds
      Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are favourites to win this tie in normal time.
      There will be plenty taking the value in Chelsea, just shy of 5/1….
      BetMGM latest odds:

      Man City 8/15
      Draw 33/10
      Chelsea 24/5

      Copy linkCopiedSetting the scene
      The fans are piling into Wembley and the atmosphere is already building terrifically.
      A little under half an hour until kick off as the players are put through their paces in the warm-up ahead of kick-off.

      Copy linkCopiedMan in the middle
      The FA’s best referee, Michael Oliver takes charge of this one.
      The 39-year-old has refereed 30 games far this season, showing 121 yellow cards and five red cards.
      David Coote is on VAR. Hopefully we don’t hear much from VAR tonight, though….
      Copy linkCopiedOur picks
      We’ve had a go at picking out a PickYourPunt selection with Betfred for this game.
      As well as that, the bookmaker is offering £50 in free bets to new customers too!
      Our PickYourPunt is a cool 28/1 and we’ve given reasons why for each pick too.

      Copy linkCopiedNumbers to back it
      And the numbers back up what Pep Guardiola has said.
      Palmer’s four goals earlier this week taking him to 20 in the league this season – joint with former team-mate Erling Haaland. And in less shots, too.
      As well as the goals, he’s contributed 9 assists to Haaland’s five, with more than 3x the touches and passes of the Norwegian.

      Copy linkCopiedCole reality
      Pep Guardiola admits Cole Palmer has been the “decisive player of the season” after being forced to sell him to Chelsea.
      But the Manchester City boss insists the England midfielder asked to leave the Etihad for TWO YEARS before he finally got his £40million move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
      And Guardiola confessed: “He said he wanted to leave. What could we do? He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said, ‘No, stay’.
      “I also said in pre-season he should stay because Riyad Mahrez had gone, but he said, ‘No, I want to leave’.
      “So after two seasons what could I say?
      “Playing at his current level is exceptional. He is an incredible threat. Everyone knows it.”

      Copy linkCopiedSo far this season
      These two have met twice already in the Premier League this season.
      And both games finished all square.
      A sensational game at Stamford Bridge ended 4-4 when Cole Palmer scored a late, late penalty.
      While Rodri bagged an 83rd minute equaliser when the sides met at the Etihad in February.
      Copy linkCopiedPoch preview
      Mauricio Pochettino isn’t expecting a wounded animal when City face his Chelsea side this evening.
      He said: “From our point of view, we are going to compete against Manchester City. If you ask me about their situation, I can give my opinion, but we are not talking about that. We are going to compete against them.
      “Today we were preparing, doing meetings, about the Manchester City that played against Real Madrid, that played against us in the Premier League.
      “We are not talking about playing one or playing another. For me, the strength of Manchester City is that they keep the same idea and the same philosophy.”
      Copy linkCopiedSubstitutes
      Man City: Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis
      CHELSEA: Bettinelli, Badiashile, Disasi, Gilchrist, Chilwell, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk, Sterling, Washington

      Copy linkCopiedChelsea team news
      No major surprises as Mauricio Pochettino names his Chelsea team for the semi final.
      Enzo Fernandez takes his place beside Moises Caicedo in the Blues midfield.
      CHELSEA XI: Petrovic, Guston, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Jackson
      Copy linkCopiedMan City team news
      Pep Guardiola names his team for this afternoon’s semi final.
      Kyle Walker captains the side and is included despite playing in midweek on return from injury.
      MAN CITY XI: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
      Copy linkCopiedTeam news is in!
      And the reports were right – there’s NO Erling Haaland!
      Copy linkCopiedBlues here
      The Chelsea squad arrived a while ago and have walked the Wembley pitch in preparation ahead of warm-ups.
      The squad making time to say hello to each kid, buzzing to meet their heroes on their big day.

      Copy linkCopiedKick off time
      It’s a 5.15pm kick off at Wembley tonight.
      And we’ll go the distance tonight, should we need it.
      And if we get half the drama of the Scottish Cup semi final earlier, we’re in for a treat.
      Celtic drew 3-3 with Aberdeen, with ex-City stopper JOE HART missing a penalty in the shootout to win it for the Hoops.
      Before being the hero in a 6-5 shootout win.
      Copy linkCopiedBounce back
      Pep Guardiola has called on his City stars to forget the heartbreak of midweek and react this afternoon.
      He said: “We don’t have another option and don’t want to feel sorry for ourselves.
      “We performed at our best but were not able to win against Madrid.
      “What next? We don’t have time to reflect. We reflect in the summertime. Football, you compete to win but most of the time you lose games.”
      Copy linkCopiedCityzens arriving
      Here is the City team who arrived a short time ago, with Kevin de Bruyne involved.
      The players took time to shake the hands with the mascot youngsters who gathered inside Wembley.
      Team news will be on the way shortly.

      Copy linkCopiedEarly team News
      And it’s big team news. Reports claim there is no Erling Haaland in the Manchester City squad this afternoon in a massive blow to the Sky Blues.
      Kevin de Bruyne is fit to be involved and is here with the City team. Whether he’s fit enough to start remains to be seen.
      Chelsea should have Raheem Sterling, Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi back in their side having missed the game on Monday.
      Copy linkCopiedSemi Saturday
      Good afternoon and welcome to a huge afternoon in the English football calendar with the first of the FA Cup semi finals this weekend.
      And it’s a belter too with Manchester City and Chelsea doing battle for a spot in the showpiece event at the end of the season.
      City will still be reeling from being dumped out of the Champions League in midweek and need a reaction here.
      While Chelsea come here in their best form of the season, highlighted by the SIX goals scored in that demolition of Everton on Monday night.
      It’s poised to be a great occasion.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      Erling Haaland MISSING from Man City squad for huge FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea

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      ERLING HAALAND has been left out of the Manchester City squad for their FA Cup semi-final this afternoon.The treble winners take on Chelsea at Wembley as they look to bounce back from their European heartbreak on Wednesday night.Erling Haaland is not in the Manchester City squad to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final todayCredit: GettyHaaland was substituted off before extra time as Man City were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by Real Madrid earlier this week.And there had been some doubts over his fitness after the game with Pep Guardiola explaining he had asked to be substituted during the match.Speaking in his pre-match press conference for today’s Wembley clash, Guardiola said: “Erling felt something, a muscular issue and that’s why he said he could not continue.”He added: “The doctor said it was a little bit niggles and we will see the evolution in the next hours.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The amount of games we are playing this season and the previous season and not much recovery and extra time and high intensity and the way we played, put a lot of pressure on our game. “They are human beings, not machines. Sometimes the fatigue is there.”Haaland has failed to live up to his own high goal-scoring standards this season after breaking the Premier League record for the most goals scored in a single campaign last term.But despite being somewhat off the pace, he has still found the net more than any other City player this season and his absence will be a huge blow for Guardiola and Co.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe striker has netted 31 goals and registered six assists in all competitions this season, some nine goals more than their second highest scorer Phil Foden.It’s Julian Alvarez that takes Haaland’s place in the starting lineup with the World Cup winner making his 48th appearance of the season.Haaland and Grealish Friendship Test About Favourite Food – YouTube Premier League.mp4City will be hoping a spot in a second consecutive FA Cup final will help go some way to mending the wounds of Wednesday’s heartache and put them back on track for their final push in the Premier League too. More

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      I’m Coventry ace who was labelled ‘next Jack Grealish’, now I want to follow Man City ace and beat Man Utd at Wembley

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      COVENTRY hero Callum O’Hare is 90 minutes away from taking comparisons with Jack Grealish to a glorious new high.The exciting playmaker aims to replicate the Manchester City hero’s Wembley joy against Man United last year with victory in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.Callum O’Hare has looked up to Jack Grealish but now hopes to be on a level in one respect, with FA Cup victory over Man Utd at WembleyCredit: RexMan City ace Grealish gave O’Hare advice when they were at Aston VillaCredit: ReutersCity’s 2-1 triumph over the Red Devils in the 2023 final was part two of a famous Treble for Pep Guardiola’s men.In contrast, Championship play-off hopefuls Coventry aim to become the first  team outside the Premier League to reach the domestic showpiece since Cardiff in 2008.O’Hare, 25, was at first club Aston Villa from 2016-20, enough time to learn from a club-mate who later left for City in a £100million deal and became an England star.He told Sky Sports: “It was after I left Villa when I got those comparisons to Jack. READ MORE TOP STORIES”He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen play, so to be compared to him is a bit of an honour.”But O’Hare, who won a single England Under-20 cap in 2017, added: “It doesn’t put any pressure on me. I can only do as well as I can do. “I know I need to improve in some areas and I think I’m on the right path and I can get to that stage one day.”He believes comparing him to Grealish has some validity – but for painful as well as a flattering reasons.Most read in FA CupThe former Carlisle loanee said: “I can kind of see it because we both play in a similar way and we both get fouled a lot. “But we’re obviously two different players and he’s doing his thing now. I’m really happy for him as he really deserves it.Gary Neville ‘lost faith’ with ‘scrawny and erratic’ Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd before transformation into a ‘machine'”He’s the most expensive English player. Everyone aspires to be like that but I’m not really surprised. “I’ve seen him play numerous times and everyone could see it coming. “In ability he would push me in training and he’d always give me advice and that really meant a lot. Hopefully I’ve learned from it.” More

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      Ex-footballer dubbed Mosquito, 42, had trial with Treble-winning Man Utd only to KO them from cup with Coventry goals

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      MICHAEL MIFSUD has a long history with Manchester United.The former striker went from being on trial at Old Trafford to scoring twice against them in a famous Coventry victory within eight years.Michael Mifsud celebrates the first of his memorable goals in Coventry’s 2-0 League Cup win at Old Trafford 17 years agoCredit: GettyMifsud trained with Paul Scholes and David BeckhamCredit: PA:Press AssociationIn 1999, as one of the hottest prospects in Maltese football, the teenager was invited to train alongside United’s Treble-winning stars at The Cliff — their old complex.And while he was unable to sign a permanent contract with Malta not in the European Union at the time, those two weeks helped shape his career.Mifsud, 42, told SunSport: “I trained with the first-team. Gary Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were all there, the legends.“Just entering the dressing room, seeing all the kits, you’re getting changed with Beckham’s boots next to you, it was surreal. It was a dream come true.READ MORE TOP STORIES“I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson a little bit, even though everyone was scared of him.“It showed me what real football was like and made me even hungrier. I wanted to be like Beckham and to be scoring goals like Andy Cole.”Mifsud, famously nicknamed The Mosquito by a rival, did eventually make his way to English football — via spells in Norway and Germany — when he joined Coventry in January 2007.And he could hardly believe his luck eight months later when the Sky Blues drew United away in the League Cup third round.Most read in FA CupAgainst a Red Devils team that included the likes of Gerard Pique, Anderson and Nani, he wrote his name into Coventry folklore.Having scored the opener, Mifsud sealed the tie 20 minutes from time with a memorable second.Shocking moment Coventry boss wildly celebrates in ball boy’s FACE after FA Cup winner – then accuses him of ‘smirking’In front of the 11,000 travelling Coventry fans, he left the great Pique on his backside before rifling home.He said: “I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it.“You never get sick of something nice. I was so grateful and lucky to achieve what I did. We were like a family, so it was a real team effort.“The game and my performance was fantastic. I could have scored a hat-trick with my backheel hitting the post, but my second goal was so nice.“I went to celebrate with our fans, they were behind the goal and it was a really special feeling.“All of Malta were behind me. Half of Malta supports United but on the day they were supporting me. I received so many messages, my phone was like ping, ping, ping.”Among those United fans were Mifsud’s mum, although she was not at the game.Early on in his career, he banned her from coming.The-then Coventry hero tangled with Man Utd’s Danny SimpsonCredit: Getty – ContributorMifsud is ‘buzzing’ along with the fans to see if the Sky Blues repeat his gloryCredit: PA:Press AssociationHe explained: “Sometimes as a striker you have to dive to win a foul and my mum would go nuts and say, ‘Is he hurt, is he hurt?’.“So, I said mum, ‘Please don’t come and watch, I do it on purpose’. So, she always watched games on TV.”Mifsud smiles when asked about making a mockery of Pique.At the time, the Spaniard was a rookie but he went on to enjoy a trophy-laden career — one the striker takes responsibility for.He said: “My friends sometimes joke about what I did to him, and I say to them, ‘I pushed his career up, he won the league, the Champions League and the World Cup after that’.”The ex-hitman has flown over for the semi-final at Wembley.But does he think the current Cov crop can replicate the Class of 2007? Mifsud said: “Yes, I believe they can.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It is a good time to play them. Manchester United are not enjoying a good spell, so it’s a good time to achieve and win the game.“I’m buzzing to be there with the fans. I’m so grateful for them, it’s like going back in time.” More

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      Former Premier League star, 62, now postman who delivers letters to old club’s training ground

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      THERE’S a good reason why Coventry’s FA Cup 1987 hero Micky Gynn hopes his old club delivers a first-class show against Manchester United at Wembley.Because for the last 28 years Gynn has worked as a postman for the Royal Mail and his daily round at Berkswell and Balsall Common — just ten minutes from Birmingham Airport — includes delivering the post to Sky Blues supporters as well as Aston Villa and Brum fans, too.Coventry legend Micky Gynn played in the club’s 1987 FA Cup final win over TottenhamCredit: PA:Empics SportHe has only been back to Wembley once since winning the FA Cup 37 years agoCredit: PA:Empics SportAnd Gynn, 62, who has been off work since January after a hand operation, once had a round that included delivery to his old Coventry training ground!He said: “That always felt a bit strange. I used to have that urge to turn back time and run in and get my shorts on and join in!”I have a hereditary condition called Dupuytren contracture where you suddenly get lumps appear on your hands, which need removing quickly.”I hope to get the all-clear to return to work next week. I have really missed it. I’ve worked for Royal Mail for 28 years and I want to celebrate my 30th anniversary with them.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFormer midfielder Gynn made his Wembley debut in the 1987 final, when his Sky Blues side won 3-2 against Tottenham.Amazingly, he has only been back to the national stadium once since as a player… three months later when Cov lost 1-0 to Everton in the Charity Shield.And he won’t be there tomorrow, either.He revealed: “I have been given two tickets for the semi-final but gave them to my son, Luke, and his friend due to the problem with my hand.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGynn has made lifelong friends from Coventry’s incredible first-ever major trophy success 37 years ago.He added: “We had reunions in 2007 after 20 years and in 2017 after 30 years. It’s not quite the same since we lost Cyrille Regis and our managers John Sillett and George Curtis.Chris Wilder leads furious backlash to FA Cup replays being scrapped as fans urged to protest at ‘ridiculous’ decision”I joined Coventry in 1983 from Peterborough at the same time as Trevor Peake and Dave Bennett. These guys are like my extended family.”The three of us were at the Coventry Transport Museum last week where the open-top bus we used after winning the final is still there. We did a bit for the BBC. It brought back so many happy memories.”Peaky will ping us a WhatsApp message every six weeks or so and a few of the lads including Steve Ogrizovic and Dave Burrows, Dave, Kirk Stephens, myself, Peaky plus family and great friends like Ady Metcalfe who are all part of our get together.”I will never ever get bored of talking about our 1987 win. My only regret is that I had a chance right at the end of the final to make it 4-2 and score the final goal.”Unfortunately I was out on my feet. It was a boiling hot day and I was completely dehydrated. Luckily it didn’t matter as we won anyway.” More

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      I scored iconic diving header as Coventry beat Spurs in 1987 FA Cup final… but few remember scrappy winner vs Man Utd

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      KEITH HOUCHEN’S spectacular diving header for Coventry against Tottenham in 1987 will go down as one of the greatest goals in FA Cup final history.Yet just as important was possibly the scrappiest of his career in the fourth-round tie that season, against the Sky Blues’ semi-final opponents tomorrow — Manchester United.Keith Houchen scored a brilliant header against Tottenham in the FA Cup final in 1987Credit: PAThe goal helped Coventry land the cupCredit: RexHouchen will be hoping Coventry can upset Man UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHouchen recalled: “At the time I was just delighted to have scored the goal to win the tie at Old Trafford and get us through to the next round.“I had only joined Coventry at the start of that 1986-87 season from York and was trying to establish myself.“I had been out between September and December after suffering an injury in the second or third game of the season, so to score the winner at Old Trafford was a big moment for me.“I would love to say it was as memorable as my diving header in the final but it was the complete opposite.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Our left-back Greg Downs hit a low cross in from the left-hand side and first it reached David Phillips, who nicked it towards goal before it got to me at the near post.“From my initial shot, the ball bobbled about to the United keeper, Chris Turner, then the rebound hit me smack in the face!“Finally, as the ball crept along the line I managed to stick my leg out, which was only fractionally longer than Norman Whiteside’s and was able to poke it into the goal.“It’s amazing to see Sir Alex Ferguson’s blast afterwards at his United team in the press the next day after we had won the tie. I suppose he was just warming up his hairdryer!Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Of course, at that time, Fergie was under pressure to deliver in his early days in charge. What he went on to achieve at the club was sensational.“When you win in the fourth round you don’t even think about Wembley.Who could be Man Utd’s next manager after Ten Hag?“Yet, I’m pretty sure it was after this win at Manchester United when our manager John Sillett told everyone, ‘We’re going to win the FA Cup this season’. It was a grand statement but a fairytale that came true.”Sadly Sillett died two years ago, along with his fellow Sky Blues manager George Curtis. Another of Coventry’s FA Cup heroes Cyrille Regis passed away in 2018. Houchen added: “We have always remained such a close-knit group and all three are very sadly missed. I reflect on our 1987 Cup success with huge pride at the Coventry squad and the way we all played for each other.”FA Cup goal hero Houchen will be watching Sunday’s semi-final against United at home and kicking every ball.The former striker said: “Coventry’s quarter-final performance at Wolves was so reminiscent of our side in 1987.“I sat glued to it with my grandson, Roman. They had played so well and I thought they deserved to win the game.“But then to be 2-1 down in the 88th minute felt absolutely gut-wrenching.“However, the way they kept believing and then got two goals in added-on time was jump-off-the-sofa excitement at the end.“I felt absolutely elated for the whole club at the final whistle. I was also delighted for Ellis Simms who had missed a great chance at the start but didn’t let it affect him and went on to score two goals.“I also watched Manchester United last weekend at Bournemouth, and if they play anything like that at Wembley on Saturday, I think Mark Robins’ side have a chance. I’ll be watching avidly.“If Coventry win the FA Cup this season I believe it will be a greater achievement than our victory in 1987.“To overcome Wolves, Manchester United and then either Manchester City or Chelsea in the final as a second-tier team would be extraordinary.”What the teams were on that day:READ MORE SUN STORIESMAN UTD: Turner, Sivebaek, Garton, Moran, Duxbury, Strachan, Blackmore (McGrath), Whiteside, Olsen, Stapleton (Davenport), Gibson. Manager: Alex Ferguson.COVENTRY: Ogrizovic, Burrows, Kilcline, Peake, Downs, Emerson, Phillips, McGrath, Pickering, Regis, Houchen. Subs: Gynn, Sedgley. Managers: John Sillett/George Curtis.Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton
      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
      Read more on the FA Cup by clicking here. More

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      Coventry boss Mark Robins saved Fergie’s job at Man Utd in 1990 FA Cup.. now he may hammer final nail in Ten Hag coffin

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      IT was one of my favourite FA Cup memories — not as a player but as a fan.I was in the away end at what was then called the Ricoh Arena to watch Coventry City suffer a first-round giant-killing at the hands of non-league Worcester City in 2014.Mark Robins netted a vital goal early in Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United careerCredit: GettyFergie had been under pressureCredit: APRobins now faces United as the manager of CoventryCredit: AlamyErik ten Hag takes on Coventry in the FA CupCredit: GettyMy brother Ellis, a loose-cannon of a central midfielder, was playing for Worcester and I had a thoroughly good day out, shouting myself hoarse, watching his team cause a proper upset.Fast forward a decade and Championship Coventry will face Manchester United at Wembley tomorrow in an FA Cup semi-final.It says a lot about the Cup’s special place in the English football calendar that Coventry can experience such extreme fortunes in the competition.Indeed, back in the 1980s, the Sky Blues won the Cup in a classic final against Tottenham and then lost to non-league Sutton United a couple of years later.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLCoventry and their supporters have been to hell and back in the last decade or so.They have had to play home matches at Birmingham’s St Andrew’s and Northampton because of a dispute between their former owners and the arena operators.I was at Birmingham when they were sharing St Andrew’s and I managed to snap my Achilles playing against them in an ‘away’ fixture at our ground.Coventry fell into the fourth tier at one point. For a club which was a fixture in the top flight for three decades that was a hell of a fall.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThey are back under local ownership, after years of being run by a hedge fund — although the only cloud might be Mike Ashley owns their ground, now known as the Coventry Building Society Arena.Mark Robins, whose seven years in charge make him the fourth-longest serving manager in English football, has done a tremendous job, taking Coventry to within a penalty shoot-out of the Premier League last season.Who could be Man Utd’s next manager after Ten Hag?Mark is a terrific bloke, who knows football inside out. He is such a decent and generous man.He has this aura about him which makes him a big personality without having to shout and scream.He has consistently had to sell Coventry’s best players — especially Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer last summer — but still manages to rebuild impressively.He famously scored the FA Cup third-round winner for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest to save Sir Alex Ferguson’s job in 1990.And if Cov pull off a win at Wembley, he could do the opposite for Erik ten Hag, whose job as United boss is hanging by a thread.I genuinely think Coventry have a chance, mainly because you never have a clue which United are going to turn up on any given day.Also, Coventry have two forwards who can really cause problems.Ellis Simms, who has scored five goals in their last two Cup ties, and the American, Haji Wright, both have the ability to make runs behind United’s defence and that is exactly what the Premier League side don’t want to encounter.Simms, signed from Everton last summer, is one of many players whose careers have been revived by Robins at Coventry. He might not be absolutely top-drawer but he has a real eye for goal.He scored twice in a dramatic 3-2 win at Wolves in the quarter-finals and a hat-trick against Maidstone in the previous round.Like some of their team-mates, Simms and Wright will be thinking ‘one big game here and I could earn myself a Premier League move’.This is a free hit for Coventry’s players. They have already earned a massive day out for their supporters — a Wembley trip for the second successive season after the Championship play-off final against Luton.Nobody is expecting them to win but they have a real chance. Anything is possible in the Cup, as I remember from my day out with Worcester City.My main memory of that match was that Sean Geddes, who I’d played with at Walsall, scored both of Worcester’s goals.All I can remember of my brother’s performance is that he got booked for a heavy challenge!READ MORE SUN STORIESBut there will be plenty of Coventry fans at Wembley tomorrow who will have seen their team lose at home to Worcester.And when you have experienced bitter moments like that — especially with people like me goading them from the away end — then the good times taste all the more sweet.Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton
      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
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